Kate Winslet says her children have overtaken acting as a priority.

The star - who has a daughter Mia, 12, from her marriage to Jim Threapleton, and a son, Joe, from her seven-year marriage to Sam Mendes - revealed she doesn't struggle as much with balancing her career and family life.

She told the Mail on Sunday newspaper's You magazine: ''My greatest strength is my ability to bounce back ... I've got a really over-packed brain - there's always so much to do!

''But my children are my life and acting is something that I just do sometimes.''

Last month Kate admitted the past four years - including her split from Sam in 2010 and marriage to her current husband Ned Rocknroll in December - has given her much-needed clarity as well as helped her professionally with inspiration.

She added: ''I've really learnt a great deal about myself, in the last four years in particular.

''I think I can see more clearly now - about how the pattern of past experiences has shaped who I am, and the characters I have played- and I'm grateful for that.

''I have so much more material to draw on for work - rubble, bricks - and I know I can carry it now. I'm not going to drop it, and if I do, I'll sift through it.''